to admins: There are many similar threads but they were all 2 years old. So I thought is was okay to start a new thread.
Today I did a lot of housekeeping before I installed the Windows 10 Creators Update. After the update was in, I ran a full virus scan using Avast. The only thing that changed from last week is now I have 2 security vulnerabilities in my cable modem from Time Warner Cable / Spectrum. My paranoia assumes that TWC introduced the accessibility in their modem deliberately after our internet privacy was deleted last week.
Please note the key words in that warning.
āUpgrade your deviceās firmware, if possible.ā
I just got off the phone with tech support. It is not possible for a user to update a TWC modem and they automatically receive push updates āfor my convenienceā from TWC. They recently pushed a speed update from 15 to 24 Mbps (itās ok), but the Wi-Fi is unbelievably crappy. Iām sitting 5 feet away from the device, looking right at it and my phone can barely pick up any signal to check my email. Watching YouTube, streaming music or Wi-Fi calling is not an option. I know the answer is to buy my own modem. I learned that is one of first steps to get back a little bit of the privacy that was recently vaporized.
In the fine print TWC says āSure! You can buy your own modem. But we will continue to charge you a lease fee after you give our modem back. No discounts are available, because the lease is lumped into the fees.ā
Up until now, the expense of buying a good modem while still paying for a shitty one stopped me from buying my own modem. I donāt have a choice anymore.
I am experienced, but I have never done this before. Can someone suggest a decent router + Wi-Fi + modem (preferably at Micro Center) for around $ cheap? What specs should I look for in reviews? How do I set it up to be secure? I just learned that the modem must be āactivatedā to connect to my ISP. TWC tech support offered to help me activate my new modem, but I am worried that their āhelpā will probably include some spyware āfor my convenienceā.
TWC has a list of compatible modems. Iām probably over thinking this. I read a few reviews, but I donāt understand networking specs. Are these okay? Seeing as I am a 1 person house and my ISP can only give me 24 Mbps, top speed is not my priority, reliability and privacy are. I also plan to get PIA VPN services.
https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Certified-Xfinity-Spectrum-Cablevision/dp/B0111MRLLG?th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Motorola-MG7315-Certified-Spectrum-BrightHouse/dp/B01LFXQ01I